Wicked director Jon M. Chu reveals why they cut Broadway show’s most iconic line

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As a long-time musical theater enthusiast who has seen “Wicked” multiple times both on stage and screen, I must admit that while the movie is undeniably captivating, the absence of Glinda’s iconic line felt like a missing piece of my heart. It was as if someone had taken away my favorite candy from the chocolate box – sure, there’s still plenty of sweetness left, but something just isn’t right.

Currently, Wicked is receiving acclaim for fulfilling the desires of avid musical enthusiasts. However, perceptive viewers may have noticed that a significant lyric from Glinda’s repertoire is missing in the adaptation.

The extraordinary success of the new movie based on “Wicked” can be seen in its impressive box office earnings, positioning it among the top-earning Broadway adaptations upon its opening.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but sing praises for the show’s captivating on-screen translations of its most memorable scenes, such as “Defying Gravity” and “The Wizard and I”. However, it seems that some cherished Broadway moments were regrettably omitted from the final version. Director Jon M. Chu has shared his reasons for why incorporating every iconic scene wasn’t feasible in this adaptation.

When there’s no real-time audience to interact with, some jokes may not land effectively,” Chu explained via Variety. “I recall when Ari didn’t include the line ‘the Wizard will see you now!’ The omission had a purpose; they were further along in their spatial progression.

As a gamer, I found myself in a situation where a crucial element was missing during rehearsals. Every time that moment came up, the others would just carry on as if nothing was amiss. Ari said, “Trust me, we need this.” So, I took it upon myself to solve the problem. We ended up adding two different entry points, but in the end, it was all worth it.

Glinda’s most famous line didn’t work in the Wicked movie

One of the most notable missing moments from the film comes in the opening scene, when Glinda descends upon the people of Munchkinland in a bubble.

In the original dialogue, Glinda asks, “Doesn’t it make you happy to see me? By the way, I didn’t really expect an answer because I was being rhetorical.” However, in the movie version, this part about her statement being rhetorical is usually left out, which some viewers consider as a significant omission since it adds depth and humor to Glinda’s character.

According to Chu’s explanation, “The humor in the movie didn’t work when she delivered that line because, unlike a live performance, there was no crowd to react and provide the usual feedback.

Instead of real Ozian responses, we used contrived ones, but they were overly complex and premature. It was a challenging scene to eliminate as it felt like a significant biblical quote.

Currently, the movie “Wicked” is being screened in cinemas globally. For additional insights, discover why one of Wicked’s standout scenes unintentionally mirrors Spider-Man, suitable restroom breaks during Wicked, and the intriguing link between Fiyero and The Wizard of Oz following “Wicked.

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2024-11-25 13:45